Ironbridge landslip-prone road deterioration worse than thought

Preparation works have been completed to make way for construction

A landslip-prone road into the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage site has "deteriorated more than anticipated".

Jiggers Bank in Coalbrookdale has been vulnerable to landslips and will be closed for 26 weeks for repairs.

Telford & Wrekin Council said preparations for the work have been completed and found "further voids and collapsed areas".

These are being made safe to allow the construction work to continue.

The road was built as a single lane tramway in the 1700s and then widened

It was previously closed for landslip works in 2015 and 2013.

Workers have been coating the wall with a 50mm layer of concrete sprayed on to the wall, with holes are also being bored for rock anchors to be inserted into the bedrock to stabilise it.

The road has undergone previous stabilisation works

Councillor Lee Carter, from the authority, said: "We can finally see what we are really dealing with now the site has been cleared and the wall properly exposed.

"We always knew this would be a complex project with adjustments needed as we progress and unearth more sections of the structure.

"The position of the wall itself has presented challenges too as we've had to build a temporary ramp allowing heavy machinery and equipment to even get into the right position.

"It's a positive start but we are mindful that this project will undoubtedly throw some curveballs due to the area's complex geology and site topography.

"That said we are still confident at this stage of delivering the project on time and on budget."